Five key events to watch in 2025: trump return, football frenzy, and more.

Trump 2.0
After winning the U.S. presidential election, Donald Trump is set to return to the White House on January 20, 2025, with a cabinet that includes controversial figures like vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary and Elon Musk overseeing government efficiency. This marks Trump’s second term, and with Joe Biden passing the reins to Trump, the 77-year-old former president would become the oldest to serve in the position.

Climate Change Milestones
Could 2025 be the year greenhouse gas emissions start to stabilize? The world’s largest emitter, China, is showing signs of only a marginal increase in emissions, and global CO2 emissions could peak soon. Experts caution, however, that even if emissions level off, nations must act swiftly to reduce them and aim for carbon neutrality to prevent further climate damage.

Football Frenzy
With an expanded calendar featuring a 32-team Club World Cup and a revamped Champions League, 2025 is set to raise questions about football overkill and player burnout. The upcoming 2026 World Cup will also see an increase in teams, adding 16 countries and a whopping 104 games. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in football, including its hosting of the 2034 World Cup, will transform the sport. Controversies, like the ongoing debates over VAR technology, will likely continue to spark discussion.

Kumbh Mela 2025
From January 13 to February, India will host the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a Hindu festival that attracts tens of millions of devotees. This UNESCO-protected event, recognized for its massive scale and spiritual significance, sees participants bathing in the holy rivers of the Ganges and Yamuna. The 2013 festival drew 120 million people, and 2025 promises to be just as grand.

Oasis and BTS Comebacks
In 2025, two iconic music groups are set to make their returns. Oasis, the legendary Britpop band led by the Gallagher brothers, will reunite for a world tour after a 15-year hiatus. Meanwhile, BTS, the K-pop sensation, will reunite in June after completing mandatory military service, marking their much-anticipated return to the stage and potentially boosting South Korea’s cultural exports even further.